A.D. Amorosi says Katie Cavuto’s Healthy Bites will be filling out the rest of the Chef’s Market/Capogiro space on South Street as the  next Food Network Star contestant gets her own store. [City Paper]

Chew Man Chu is getting set to open at the base of the Symphony House. Michael Klein has the rundown on “effervescent” chef  Tyson Wong Ophaso. [The Insider]

Masaharu Morimoto is planning a series of yakitori-based quick service restaurants in American airports. Skewers will be the name.

Whipped Bakeshop has opened on Belgrade Street in Fishtown. It’s part workshop and bake shop with coffee and cupcakes. [Meal Ticket]

Tavolo is the second restaurant for Warminster chef Augusto Jalon. This one will be in Huntindon Valley. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

There’s no stopping the Tiffin juggernaut. In addition to the announced Elkins Park )11/2 opening) and Wynnewood (2010)

Pico de Gallo’s Baja Room is open across from the original Pico de Gallo at 15th and South. [Meal Ticket]

Le Bec-Fin has a new pastry chef. Cedric Barberet who worked previously at Las Vegas’ M Resort and was Executive Pastry Chef at Donald Trump’s private club, Mar A Lago in Plam Beach.

Coquette is closed and is facing a sheriff’s sale. Cary Neff says he’s re-conceptualizing and will reopen. [The Insider]

Swan song accolades for ROOT liqueur in the final edition of Gourmet. Nicholas Jarrett of APO Bar+Lounge also gets a shout out. [PDF]

Taste of the Nation takes place Monday at the Loews Hotel starting at 6 pm. Tickets are $75 and 100% of all proceeds go to food related charities to fight childhood hunger.

Sample food from many of Philadelphia’s best restaurants including Blackfish, Chifa, Fork, Kong, Little Fish, Modo Mio, Noble, Osteia, 10 Arts and Vetri.

And it isn’t just about the eats, there are also the drinks. APO Bar + Lounge mixologists as well as visiting bartenders from DC, Boston, New York and New Orleans will be muddling and pouring specialty cocktails.

And it isn’t just about the eats and the drinks. There’s also a silent auction giving guests a chance to bid on restaurant gift certificates, hotels stays and unique culinary experiences.

We heartily recommend this event and are excited to offer a 15% discount to Foobooz readers. Use the code “Foobooz” (note that’s case sensitive) when purchasing online.

Taste of the Nation [Official Site]

Complete list of participating restaurants after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

High profile bartenders and their fancy cocktails have mixologists stepping into the limelight.

Raising the bar [Metro Philadelphia]

Felicia D’Ambrosio profiles unique “bar bon vivant” Christian Gaal of  APO Bar + Lounge and Noble: An American Cookery.

Drink Dapper [City Paper]
APO Bar+Lounge [Official Site]
Noble: An American Cookery [Official Site]

Our Sporting Dynasty

It’s a Three-peat for Citizens Bank Park. For the third year in a row the ballpark has been named Most Vegetarian-Friendly by PETA. [PETA]

 Philly is in the Details

the June issue of Details names Xochitl’s torta one of the best five in the nation and crowns APO Bar and Lounge’s Fish House Punch is among the five best punches in the nation. [Details]

Say What?

• The Savoy Deli & Produce Market off of Rittenhouse Square is probably best known for their flowers but they also sell tacos! [Drawing for Food]

Term We Love

• Chifauxtle – Term Fidel Gastro has made up to describe imitation or faux Chipotle restaurants. [Fidel Gastro]

Moyamensing Means Bird Droppings

• GetYourFooDon visits Witch American Bistro and rates it as Good. [The Witch American Bistro]
• Mac & Cheese calls Nicholas “fresh, seasonal, approachable and comforting.” [Mac & Cheese]

Jealousy is a Deadly Sin

• David McDuff dines at Talula’s Table more than anyone we know. [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

To Do List

• Sip a “Midtown Village” Manhattan at APO Bar and Lounge. One of 15 Manhattans they’re currently offering. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
• Eat dinner at Apamate. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the tapas BYOB for brunch but never been there for dinner. Maybe Mac & Cheese’s run down will be the impetus. [Mac & Cheese]
• Enjoy a drink at the Level Bar at Le Meridien when it opens in September. [The Illadelph]

Food & Wine’s new Cocktails 2009 book lists these cocktail bars and lounges as Philadelphia’s best: Tequila’s, Southwark, APO Bar + Lounge and Chick’s Cafe. [Via MenuPages]

Jose Garces is one of “120 Reasons to Love Being Latina” in Latina Magazine. He’s among four “culinary masters” saluted.

Esquire’s Philadelphia based-writer Francine Maroukian won an Ellie at the ASME Awards for her work on The Esquire Almanac of Steak. A hat tip goes out to her, especially since we know she reads Foobooz! She’s also featured this week on Unbreaded.  [ASME]

APO and Hendrick’s Gin are throwing a holiday soiree this evening from 6 to 10pm.

Finely Feathered Philadelphians,

Please join your friends at APO Bar & Lounge as we celebrate the season with Hendrick’s Gin.
We’ll be pouring most unusual holiday cocktails and punches, making merry and wassailing through the night. Caroling shall be encouraged. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served and all Hendrick’s cocktails will be festively priced.

Doll yourself up in seasonal fineries and bring a few non-perishable food items to benefit the Hunger Coalition. Those who do either shall be warmly rewarded.
Gather some friends and come tipple in high Holiday style.

APO & Hendrick’s Holiday Soiree!!! [Facebook]
APO Bar + Lounge [Official Site]

Apothecary Bar & Lounge (excuse us Board of Phamacy,  APO) makes USA Today’s 10 Great list of modern speakeasies. The list is compiled by Derek Brown, who has the coolest job title we’ve come across in a long time, ambassador to the Museum of the American Cocktail.

10 great places to slip into a modern speakeasy [USA Today]
Apothecary Bar & Lounge [Official Site] 

The 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition is tomorrow and naturally we and bars are celebrating.

If you’re out early hit up the Memphis Taproom from 3 to 4pm when they’ll pouring all beer on draft for just a buck.

Chick’s Cafe will be featuring several old school specialty cocktails priced at $7.50 that are made using all American spirits – the Ward Eight (bourbon), Sazerac (rye), Scofflaw (blended American whiskey) and the Jack Rose (applejack).

The Institute gets in on the repeal day specials with 3.50 Tullemore Dew, $3.50 flavored Bacardi $1.50 PBR  all day.  From 9pm until 11pm there will be $2.00 Philly Brewing and Yards drafts. And they go all 1933 crazy at 19:33 (that’s 7:33pm), they’ll be offering all their draft beer for 10 cent beers for 19 minutes and 33 seconds. Never tried a Backwoods Bastard, it’s a worthwhile gamble for a dime.

On Saturday from 7 to 10pm APO Bar and Lounge (formerly Apothecary) and Philadelphia Distilling will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Repeal with big of Punch and some early jazz. APO will be offering bottles of punch (which serve 4-5), featuring Bluecoat American Dry Gin and Penn 1681 Organic Rye Vodka, for $19.33. They’ll also have select cocktails available for $6. [Facebook Invite]

Resist Prohibition is the tag line for Victory Brewing, so do your part and lift a pint of cask-conditioned Hop Devil at the London Grill.

And where could be more appropriate to go than to the recently opened Prohibition Taproom.